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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Bee Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287305
Title: Israeli acute paralysis virus in Africanized honey bees in southeastern Brazilian Apiaries

Author
item TEIXEIRA, ERICA - Non ARS Employee
item Chen, Yanping - Judy
item MESSAGE, DEJAIR - Federal University - Brazil
item BONCRISTIANI, HUMBERTO - University Of North Carolina
item Pettis, Jeffery
item Evans, Jay

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/23/2012
Publication Date: 11/24/2012
Citation: Teixeira, E.W., Chen, Y., Message, D.F., Boncristiani, H., Pettis, J.S., Evans, J.D. 2012. Israeli acute paralysis virus in Africanized honey bees in southeastern Brazilian Apiaries. Journal of Apicultural Research. 51(3):282-284.

Interpretive Summary: Honey bee viruses affect the availabilioty of honey bee pollinators throughout the world, although it is difficult in many cases to associate a specific virus species with bee colony losses. Here we surveyed healthy and declining colonies in Brazil for the presence of Israeli acute paralysis virus, a species associated with colony health in other areas. We found this virus, but virus presence was not tied to honey bee health in this survey. We discuss the results in light of bee losses in the U.S. and elsewhere, and provide this information in hopes it can help in the identification of causes of bee declines worldwie, thereby improving bee viability by new management and breeding methods..

Technical Abstract: Honey bee losses in Brazil have been observed over the past few years. These losses share somewhat similar symptoms with the syndrome known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in the USA. After more than a half century of introgression from Apis mellifera subsp. scutellata, Africanized honey bees have tolerance against Varroa destructor and other parasites and other pathogens. Here we show the widespread presence of Israel acute paralysis virus in southeastern Brazil. This virus was not tied with bee losses in this are, although it and other diseases merit further study as contributors to honey bee colony declines.